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| Endangered Languages of India |
Language loss occurs when language has no native speakers left and it eventually extincts when everyone in community stop using the language. Although, languages have extincted in the past but the process has accelerated due to globalization and neo-colonization. The economically powerful languages are dominating the world.
According to SIL International's Ethnologue, there are more than 7000 languages in the world and out of which, 50% of world population speaks top 20 languages.
In recently released data, UNESCO Atlas of World's Languages in Danger lists around 2500 languages. Gravely, India tops the list with 197 endangered languages, followed by United States with count of 191 languages and Brazil with 190 languages.
According to UNESCO report, among 197 endangered Indian languages, 81 are vulnerable, 63 definitely endangered, 6 are severely endangered, 42 are critically endangered and 5 have been extincted.
If we look at the data Indian state-wise, Andaman and Nicobar Islands tops the list with 11 endangered languages, followed by Manipur and other states.
Criteria To Classify Languages On Scale of Safe to Extinct
Safe: Language spoken by all age group.
Vulnerable: Not spoken by children outside home.
Definitely Endangered: Children not speaking.
Severely Endangered: Only seniors (Old Generation) speaking.
Critically Endangered: Spoken by oldest generation and semi-speakers.
Extinct: No record of any native language speaker in past 50 years.
Causes
1. Globalization: In India, thanks to globalization and colonized mindset, English is growing and used by new generation of India. English has become language of knowledge and employability.
2. Natural Disasters, famines and diseases can be held responsible for language loss and extinction. For example, in 2004, Tsunami killing majority of Andaman Island populace.
3. War and genocide: Examples of languages loss/extinction can be easily seen in Australia, when colonist wiped out entire population indigenous Tasmanian. Currently in Americas, where many indigenous communities are facing genocidal violence.
4. Political repression: One can see its example, in Maharashtra, where people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are forced to use Marathi.
Prevention
There is no minority language in India. The Census of India categorize languages in two broad categories. First, 22 Scheduled languages which are listed in the Constitution of India, and 100 Non-Scheduled languages.
In 2014, the Government of India has launched a scheme namely Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages in India (SPPEL) for the protection and preservation of endangered languages. Under this scheme, CIL Mysore is working along with state and central universities across the nation to identify, document and preserve all Indian languages with less than 10000 native speakers.
Currently, CIL has identified 520 such languages and have started research and documentation for 77 languages.
List of Indian languages which are listed by UNESCO as endangered languages.
| Language | Status | Spoken Elsewhere |
|---|---|---|
| A'tong | Severely endangered | |
| Adi | Vulnerable | China |
| Ahom | Extinct | |
| Aimol | Critically endangered | |
| Aiton | Severely endangered | |
| Anal language | Vulnerable | |
| Andro | Extinct | |
| Angami | Vulnerable | |
| Angika | Vulnerable | Nepal |
| Ao | Vulnerable | |
| Apatani | Vulnerable | |
| Asur | Definitely endangered | |
| Badaga | Definitely endangered | |
| Baghati | Critically endangered | |
| Balti | Vulnerable | Pakistan |
| Bangani | Critically endangered | |
| Bangni | Vulnerable | |
| Bawm | Definitely endangered | Bangladesh |
| Bellari | Critically endangered | |
| Bhadravahi | Definitely endangered | Pakistan |
| Bhalesi | Definitely endangered | |
| Bharmauri | Definitely endangered | |
| Bhumji | Vulnerable | |
| Biete | Definitely endangered | |
| Birhor | Critically endangered | |
| Bishnupuriya | Vulnerable | |
| Bodo | Vulnerable | |
| Bokar | Vulnerable | China |
| Bori | Definitely endangered | China |
| Brokshat | Definitely endangered | |
| Bunan | Definitely endangered | |
| Byangsi | Definitely endangered | Nepal |
| Chairel | Extinct | |
| Chambeali | Definitely endangered | |
| Chang | Vulnerable | |
| Chokri | Vulnerable | |
| Churahi | Definitely endangered | |
| Cuona Menba | Vulnerable | Bhutan, China |
| Dakpa | Definitely endangered | Bhutan |
| Darma | Definitely endangered | Nepal |
| Deori | Definitely endangered | |
| Dimasa | Vulnerable | |
| Gadaba | Critically endangered | |
| Galo | Vulnerable | |
| Gangte | Definitely endangered | |
| Garhwali | Vulnerable | |
| Gata | Severely endangered | |
| Ghondi | Vulnerable | |
| Gorum | Definitely endangered | |
| Great Andamanese Language | Critically endangered | |
| Gutob | Vulnerable | |
| Handuri | Critically endangered | |
| Hill Miri | Definitely endangered | |
| Hmar | Vulnerable | |
| Ho | Vulnerable | |
| Hrangkhol | Vulnerable | |
| Hruso (Aka) | Definitely endangered | |
| Idu | Definitely endangered | China |
| Irula | Vulnerable | |
| Jad | Definitely endangered | Pakistan |
| Jangshung | Definitely endangered | |
| Jarawa | Critically endangered | |
| Jaunsari | Definitely endangered | |
| Juang | Definitely endangered | |
| Kabui | Vulnerable | |
| Kachari | Definitely endangered | |
| Kanashi | Definitely endangered | |
| Kangdi | Definitely endangered | |
| Karbi | Vulnerable | |
| Khamba | Definitely endangered | China |
| Khampti | Vulnerable | |
| Kharia | Vulnerable | |
| Khasali | Definitely endangered | |
| Kheza | Vulnerable | |
| Khiamngan | Vulnerable | |
| Khorao | Vulnerable | |
| Khowa | Definitely endangered | |
| Kinnauri | Definitely endangered | |
| Koch | Definitely endangered | |
| Koda | Vulnerable | |
| Kodagu | Definitely endangered | |
| Koireng | Critically endangered | |
| Kokborok | Vulnerable | Bangladesh |
| Kolami | Definitely endangered | |
| Kom | Definitely endangered | |
| Konda | Definitely endangered | |
| Konyak | Vulnerable | |
| Koraga | Critically endangered | |
| Korku | Vulnerable | |
| Koro | Definitely endangered | |
| Korwa | Vulnerable | |
| Kota | Critically endangered | |
| Kui | Vulnerable | |
| Kului | Definitely endangered | |
| Kumaoni | Vulnerable | Nepal |
| Kundal Shahi | Definitely endangered | Pakistan |
| Kurru | Definitely endangered | |
| Kuruba | Critically endangered | |
| Kurukh | Vulnerable | |
| Kuvi | Definitely endangered | |
| Ladakhi | Vulnerable | China |
| Lamgang | Critically endangered | |
| Lamongse | Critically endangered | |
| Langrong | Critically endangered | |
| Lepcha | Definitely endangered | Bhutan |
| Lhota | Vulnerable | |
| Liangmai | Vulnerable | |
| Limbu | Definitely endangered | |
| Lishpa | Definitely endangered | |
| Luro | Critically endangered | |
| Mahasui | Definitely endangered | |
| Malto | Definitely endangered | |
| Manchand | Vulnerable | |
| Manda | Critically endangered | |
| Mandeali | Definitely endangered | |
| Mao | Vulnerable | |
| Mara | Definitely endangered | |
| Maram | Vulnerable | |
| Maring | Vulnerable | |
| Mech | Severely endangered | |
| Meitei | Vulnerable | |
| Miji | Definitely endangered | |
| Miju | Vulnerable | |
| Milang | Definitely endangered | |
| Minyong | Vulnerable | |
| Mising | Definitely endangered | |
| Mizo | Vulnerable | |
| Motuo Menba | Definitely endangered | |
| Moyon | Definitely endangered | |
| Mra | Critically endangered | China |
| Mundari | Vulnerable | |
| Muot | Critically endangered | |
| Mzieme | Vulnerable | |
| Na | Critically endangered | China |
| Nahali | Definitely endangered | |
| Naiki | Critically endangered | |
| Nihali | Definitely endangered | |
| Nocte | Vulnerable | |
| Nruanghmei | Vulnerable | |
| Nyishi | Vulnerable | |
| Onge | Critically endangered | |
| Padam | Vulnerable | |
| Padri | Vulnerable | |
| Paite | Vulnerable | |
| Pangvali | Critically endangered | |
| Parji | Critically endangered | |
| Pasi (Asi) | Definitely endangered | |
| Pengo | Critically endangered | |
| Phom | Vulnerable | |
| Pochuri | Vulnerable | |
| Pu | Critically endangered | |
| Purik | Vulnerable | Pakistan |
| Purum | Critically endangered | |
| Rabha | Vulnerable | |
| Rangkas | Extinct | |
| Remo | Severely endangered | |
| Rengma | Vulnerable | |
| Rongpo | Vulnerable | |
| Ruga | Critically endangered or Extinct | |
| Saneyno | Critically endangered | |
| Sangtam | Vulnerable | |
| Sengmai | Extinct | |
| Sentinelse | Critically endangered | |
| Sherdukpen | Vulnerable | |
| Sherpa | Vulnerable | China |
| Shompen | Critically endangered | |
| Simi | Vulnerable | |
| Singpho | Definitely endangered | |
| Sirmaudi | Critically endangered | |
| Sora | Vulnerable | |
| Spiti | Vulnerable | Pakistan |
| Sulung | Definitely endangered | China |
| Tagin | Vulnerable | |
| Tai Nora | Critically endangered | |
| Tai Phake | Severely endangered | |
| Tai Rong | Critically endangered | |
| Takahanyilang | Critically endangered | |
| Tamang | Vulnerable | Nepal |
| Tangam | Critically endangered | |
| Tangkhul | Vulnerable | |
| Tangsa | Vulnerable | |
| Tarao | Critically endangered | |
| Taruang | Vulnerable | China |
| Tawang | Vulnerable | |
| Thado | Vulnerable | |
| Tinan | Definitely endangered | China |
| Tiwa | Definitely endangered | |
| Toda | Critically endangered | |
| Toto | Critically endangered | |
| Tshangila | Vulnerable | Bhutan |
| Tulu | Vulnerable | |
| Turi | Definitely endangered | |
| Wancho | Vulnerable | |
| Yimchungru | Vulnerable | |
| Zaiwa | Definitely endangered | China |
| Zangskari | Definitely endangered | Pakistan |
| Zeme | Vulnerable |